KATE FORBES: Real average weekly wages just £8 higher than in 2008

In the last few weeks, I have met my fair share of fed up and frustrated voters.

With multiple by-elections across the Highlands (though mercifully none in Badenoch and Strathspey), I’ve spoken to tens of people including those who’d rather never see a politician in the flesh!

And in that process, I’ve met more than ever before who don’t intend to vote. They feel disenfranchised for a whole host of reasons.

Some voted Labour last year, and feel like they were misled while others are struggling with the cost of living and woes of the world and feel like there is little help.

New figures published Future Economy Scotland reveal that the sense of being left behind is backed up by evidence.

Research published in mid-May revealed that Scots’ wages have been flatlining since 2008.

That means that real average weekly earnings at the end of 2024 were a mere £8 higher than they were in 2008. Only £8.

Think how much your bills and costs have gone up in that time – vastly more than £8. Wages have not kept pace.

Future Economy Scotland estimate that means that average earnings in Scotland are an astonishing £15,000 lower than they would have been if wages had grown as normal since 2008.

In stark terms, in 2024 the average full-time worker in Scotland earned £38,464 a year. If earnings had instead grown in line with pre-crisis trends, the same worker would be earning £53,923 today.

What a difference that would make to households today.

Scots’ earnings haven’t grown, work isn’t paying, more people are struggling to make ends meet. Bills keep rising, making households feel like they can’t catch a break.

It is the difference between feeling secure, and never feeling fully secure.

We know what has caused this – runaway inflation, energy market, austerity and Covid.

Most people don’t sit down and do an academic paper on the causes.

They just want a break. And they aren’t getting it.

One of the issues I find most uncomfortable is the Reform rhetoric of pointing the finger at immigration as the root cause.

Aside from anything else, in the Highlands, reducing immigration is likely to make things massively worse. Scotland’s care sector – and we all know about the pressures on that – is dependent on international workers.

They are a lifeline. In fact, they make up more than 90% of staff in some organisations.

In a recent survey that Scottish Care undertook, 26% of the staffing of those organisations that responded were from overseas.

The answer in the Highlands is precisely the opposite – to attract more working people to occupy roles in the public, private and third sectors; increase the standard of living; ensure work pays and support community cohesion.

Kate Forbes (SNP) is Deputy First Minister and MSP for Badenoch.

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